A Shoe Scion Trots the Globe

Where to go according to Salvatore Ferragamo, the polo-field-hopping, farm-life-loving hotelier member of an Italian dynasty

Jan. 4, 2013 1:38 p.m. ET

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Salvatore Ferragamo
Relais & Chateaux

THE FERRAGAMO FASHION brand may be best known for its silk scarves and hardware-bedecked loafers, but the company's 41-year-old namesake, Salvatore Ferragamo, operates far from the runway. When he isn't skiing in Austria, sailing in Polynesia or taking one of his triannual trips to the U.S., the grandson of company founder Salvatore Ferragamo keeps busy as CEO of Il Borro, the family's 1,730-acre Tuscan hotel. In 1993, Mr. Ferragamo's father, Ferruccio, purchased the property—once the domain of the Medicis—along with its surrounding village, and charged his son, then 22 years old, with its restoration. Eight years later, Il Borro reopened as a rustic resort with three private villas along with 18 suites and apartments spread across the restored medieval village.

Mr. Ferragamo manages Il Borro's operations, which includes the production of four wine varieties and artisanal edibles such as honeys and olive oil. This year, Il Borro will be one of 36 global properties to join the Relais & Châteaux chain of small-scale, independently owned luxury hotels and restaurants. Mr. Ferragamo will also serve as the company's 2013 brand ambassador, a post previously held by actor and fellow inn-owner Richard Gere. In his new role, Mr. Ferragamo will visit other members world-wide to meet with owners, guests and media.

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HIS GROUNDS | Il Borro
Relais & Chateaux

We caught up with Mr. Ferragamo, who was in London on one of his first Relais & Châteaux brand ambassador assignments (he stayed at his family's home there), for a conversation about nepotism, footwear and his love of bacon cheeseburgers.

On superb skiing

My wife is from Austria and one of my favorite places to ski there is Lech, close to the Swiss border. The town has incredible snow—particularly for powder skiing—and has managed to retain its traditional village feel, complete with horse-drawn carriages and classic mountain cuisine.

On unique holidays

French Polynesia is one of the world's true untapped destinations. The best way to discover it is by boat. When you sail through islands like Bora Bora and Maupiti, you experience the incredible beauty of the turquoise waters contrasting with lushly forested green peaks. The Polynesian people are very friendly and my Italian sailor friends and I always play soccer with the people we meet. Sadly, we always seem to lose.

On the polo scene

I've played polo across the globe, but my favorite polo course is the Vero Beach Polo Club near Palm Beach [Florida].

On a civilized city

One of the most recent places I visited was Paris. Yet again, I was fascinated by the city's incredible sense of civilization. I always return to the Louvre, a museum whose incredible beauty captures the power and scale of French culture.

Because I mostly work in the countryside and not in the city, I prefer shoes made of suede over conventional leather ones. Suede offers a more casual feel, and it is still very elegant. My favorite models include the Ferragamo Stivaletto—it's very soft and quite suitable for a country look.

On family feuds

Only three members of the Ferragamo family may work for the Ferragamo fashion house at any one time. It's an unusual arrangement, but it ensures top family talent are truly qualified to serve the company while allowing management to operate effectively without feeling blocked by family members.

On travel clothing

Comfort is a key component of staying stylish on the road. My personal preference is to stick with suits. If they're well cut and a good fit, suits always look smart. You don't have to worry about matching pants with jackets.

On peacekeeping

My father recommended noise-cancellation headphones, and it remains one of the most useful pieces of travel advice I've ever received. They're the best way to survive the racket of 12-hour flights.

On a packing essential

A man's greatest travel investment is a good tie. Even as the world moves toward a more casual look, an elegant tie can really set an outfit's tone and is always a smart solution for unexpected style emergencies.

On great grapes

While I'm biased, I think Italy makes some of the top wines in the world. I'm partial to wines from the hill town of Montalcino in the province of Siena. Montalcino's best-known winery, Castello Banfi, is actually owned by Americans. I love their reds such as the Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino.

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P.J. Clarke's bacon cheeseburger
P.J. Clarke's

On eating in New York

Our family has an apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, so I never really stay in hotels in New York. One of my favorite New York restaurants is saloon-styled P.J. Clarke's, which has been on the corner of Third Avenue and East 55th Street since 1884—I just love their Cadillac Burger, which is topped with smoked country bacon and American cheese.

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Bathroom at Tobira Onsen Myojinkan;
Relais & Chateaux

On powerful powder rooms

For me the bathroom is the ultimate symbol of a successful hotel. A hotel's ability to use this space efficiently says a lot about its quality. Japanese hotels have great bathrooms—particularly the Tobira Onsen Myojinkan hotel.

On under-the-radar Italy

I think the small Tuscan city of Arezzo is still a real hidden gem. Arezzo is located close to the Apennine Mountain range, which has beautiful landscapes and excellent biking trails. There are great fashion outlets in the area, including one from Prada.

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